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Stephen Rea, Billy Connolly, Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall, Bill Nighy ... see more see more... , Juliet Aubrey , Helena Bergström , Bruce Robinson , Hans Matheson , Rachael Stirling , Phil Daniels , Frances Barber , Phil Davis , Zoe Ball , Andy Nichol , Francis Magee , Justin Gratton , Delroy Atkinson , Julian Simms

Still Crazy is a film that looks back at the "rock band" era of the 1970s. Brian Gibson, who has directed musical biographies on Josephine Baker and Tina Turner, sets his narrative on a rock group, St... read more read more...range Fruit, who are attempting a comeback twenty years after a bolt of lightening literally ended their career in the late 1970's. When keyboard player Tony (Stephan Rea) runs into the son of their old festival promoter, he gets the idea he could perhaps bring the aging musicians together for a revival. He goes off to search for Karen (Juliet Aubre), the band's Girl Friday and often the butt of their various ego trips. Karen, who now lives alone with her daughter, thinks it's a great idea and they set off to locate the other members. Beano (Timothy Spall), the drummer, has barricaded himself away in a trailer in his mother's garden for fear of being caught by the taxman. Ray (Bill Nighy), the lead singer, lives in a luxurious country house (beyond his means) with his second wife; he's still in the music business and has released a solo record. Les (Jimmy Nail), a great bass guitarist, is happily married, and his only regret is that his music never found the following he would have liked. As for ex-roadie Hughie (Billy Connolly), the Fruits were always his boys, and he's ready to give up his stall at Camden market and follow the dream. He would also love to see guitarist Brian again, but Brian is nowhere to be found. Karen decides to hire a much younger musician, Luke, to replace him. The re-formed band go to Holland to play a few clubs on a warm-up tour. However, the youngest member of the band is stealing the show, particularly with the members of the opposite sex. Despite efforts to stay calm and professional, the band is falling into the old routine of bickering day by day as they get close to the big reunion concert. Still Crazy was screened as part of the Panorama during the 49th International Berlin Film Festival, 1999. ~ Gönül Dönmez-Colin, Rovi

Flixster Users

80% liked it

6,767 ratings

Critics

73% liked it

26 critics

R, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Brian Gibson

Release Date: December 11, 1998

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DVD Release Date: June 29, 1999

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Flixster Reviews (459)

  • webalina
    September 30, 2007
    webalina
    I REALLY like this film. It's the story of a once-legendary 70's rock band called Strange Fruit who split acrimoniously and then are asked to reunite for a 20th anniversary concert. They are of course VERY rusty, as they all moved on outside the music business, and there are a lo... read moret of old wounds from their days together that are just scabbed over but not quite healed.

    There's just so much about this to like I don't know where to start, but how about the cast. Everyone including Stephen Rea and Timothy Spall do a great job, but Bill Nighy stands out as the cocky lead singer who believes the whole band hates him because he replaced a beloved singer who OD'd years before. And Billy Connelly nearly steals the show as the roadie Hughie, who acts as a chorus for the action and a babysitter for the band. And Actor/Director/Screenwriter Bruce Robinson puts on the wearied and wounded rock star coat like he's been wearing it all his life.

    The original music, while not quite Grammy quality, is a good fit and sounds like it could be 70's arena rock. And why not? It was written by such as Mick Jones and Jeff Lynne, not a bunch of idiot screenwriters who haven't listened to the radio since Glenn Miller. And the fact that the actors did their own singing just made things even better. The singing sounds a little rough, but I think that's the point. These guys are older and out of practice, and they should sound like it.

    If you liked The Commitments, pair it up with this as a double feature. Some really funny scenes, along with some poignant ones as well, make this film a delight. "The Flame Still Burns".
  • Redlats
    August 7, 2007
    Redlats
    What do you get when a has-been group of 70's rockers gets together again? A pretty good movie! You can imagine the unfinished conflicts that must be resolved.
  • garyX
    March 7, 2007
    garyX
    This perfectly cast but weakly scripted affectionate portrait of a has-been 70s rock band trying to make a comeback suffers from the usual faults of british comedy ie it's far too formulaic and predictable; it's as middle of the road as the music it parodies.. However, it's still... read more mildly amusing though never laugh out loud funny, but suffers greatly in comparison to the far superior This Is Spinal Tap.
  • fb25827189
    February 27, 2012
    fb25827189
    One of my all time favorite movies, and soundtracks. Which if you can find it, it's well worth the money. Just all around great cast, story, and that soundtrack! Man! One of the best I have ever heard.
  • tenebrous03
    August 11, 2009
    tenebrous03
    A horrid movie that tries to evince sympathy for profane, blasphemous, druggies who sleep around. It tries to be funny without much success and then tries to get serious with as little success. I wish I could get back the time I spent on this dreck.
  • the0high0end0of0low
    January 21, 2009
    the0high0end0of0low
    british all the way,more a drama than a comedy;a dramedy if you will......awsome performances from all the actors.
    a must see for all bill nighy fans...
  • briandamage666
    October 2, 2008
    briandamage666
    Great movie, some things hit close to home for an aging musician.
    Also any musician that has ever been on tour can relate with quite a few scenes in this movie.
    This movie in many ways shows what touring is really like.
  • lavenderfawn
    June 27, 2007
    lavenderfawn
    This movie, although it hasn't received a lot of notoriety, is really funny. A look at aging rock stars.
  • os9dude
    June 22, 2007
    os9dude
    This one belongs along with Spinal Tap. But, Still Crazy rockets straight up because it is an inspiring movie, along with its comedy bits (which are stringed one after another), the characters have a depth that is to be admired, more so if you're a musician like me. A little toug... read moreh to find as a DVD, grab it even if in VHS!. The soundtrack by the way is EXCELLENT!
  • nativesunljt
    June 19, 2007
    nativesunljt
    A really well done movie that is both dramatic and funny. Rea, Nighy, and Connolly were great in this film. The best film done about this subject and I am including Almost Famous. A brilliant surprise of a movie. Rock on.

View All Still Crazy Reviews

Critic Reviews

Clint Morris
May 6, 2005
Clint Morris, Moviehole

An absolute gem of a movie!

Daniel M. Kimmel
January 30, 2004
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

(No quote available.)

Rob Vaux
March 28, 2003
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

A warmed-over Spinal Tap retread, though not without its charms.

Brian Mckay
March 19, 2003
Brian Mckay, eFilmCritic.com

There are worse ways to kill and hour and a half, but I'd rather watch a movie with midgets dancing around a foot-high model of Stonehenge. Full Review

Andrew Howe
April 17, 2001
Andrew Howe, Film Written Magazine

A marvellous film. Full Review

Ed Kelleher
January 1, 2000
Ed Kelleher, Film Journal International

A lively, deadpan comedy that celebrates the joy, the heartbreak and the absurdity of the rock 'n' roll life. Full Review

Michael Dequina
January 1, 2000
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com

Pleasant enough to watch but completely forgettable. Full Review

Joe Morgenstern
March 31, 2012
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Click to read the article Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 7, 2011
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

Derek Elley
April 3, 2009
Derek Elley, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

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Still Crazy Trivia

  • Have you ever confused a dream with life? Or stolen something when you have the cash? Have you ever been blue? Or thought your train moving while sitting still? Maybe I was just crazy. Maybe it was the 60's. Or maybe I was just a girl... interrupted.   Answer »
  • Which movie stared Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall, Billy Connolly and Bill Nighy?  Answer »
  • who played les in the film still crazy?  Answer »
  • What is the name of the british film starring Jimmy Nail & Bill Nighy based on a Seventies rock group that reform in the Nineties  Answer »
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